Table of Contents
- Why Does Expedition 33 Keep Crashing? Powerful Solutions to Fix Fatal Errors Fast!
- Top Solutions to Fix Expedition 33 Fatal Error Crash
- Solution 1: Update Your Graphics Driver
- Solution 2: Run the Game as Administrator and Adjust Permissions
- Solution 3: Disable Steam Overlay and Verify Game Files
- Solution 4: Adjust CPU Performance Core Ratio (Advanced Users)
- Solution 5: Force the Game to Use DirectX 11
- Additional Tips
Why Does Expedition 33 Keep Crashing? Powerful Solutions to Fix Fatal Errors Fast!
Experiencing the “Fatal error! The UE-Sandfall Game has crashed and will close” message while playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can be extremely frustrating, especially when it interrupts your adventure at launch, during cutscenes, or seemingly at random. Even high-end systems (like those equipped with RTX 4090 and i9-14900K) are not immune. Some players also report Blue Screens of Death (BSOD), lost save files, or freezing.
Below is a concise, expert-backed guide to resolving this error and getting back to your game with confidence.
Top Solutions to Fix Expedition 33 Fatal Error Crash
You don’t need to try every fix-work through these steps until your issue is resolved.
Solution 1: Update Your Graphics Driver
Graphics drivers are critical for smooth gameplay and compatibility with new titles.
For NVIDIA users:
Download the latest drivers via the NVIDIA App or Manual Driver Search. As of now, GeForce driver 576.02 is current, but RTX 50-series users may need Hotfix versions 576.15 or 576.26 for improved stability.
For AMD users:
Visit the AMD Support page to get the latest driver for your GPU. Unsure of your GPU model? Open Task Manager and check under Performance > GPU.
Solution 2: Run the Game as Administrator and Adjust Permissions
Some crashes are caused by insufficient permissions. To run as administrator:
- In Steam, right-click Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 > Manage > Browse local files.
- Right-click Expedition33_Steam.exe and SandFall-Win64-Shipping.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Check “Run this program as an administrator.”
Disable fullscreen optimizations in the same Compatibility tab.
Allow the game executables through Windows Controlled Folder Access:
- Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage ransomware protection.
- Enable Controlled Folder Access.
- Add both executables as allowed apps.
Solution 3: Disable Steam Overlay and Verify Game Files
Steam Overlay can cause compatibility issues in some games.
In Steam, right-click the game > Properties > General > Uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
Verify game file integrity:
Steam > Right-click the game > Properties > Installed Files > “Verify integrity of game files.”
Steam will repair any corrupted or missing files.
Solution 4: Adjust CPU Performance Core Ratio (Advanced Users)
High-end CPUs like the i9-14900K may cause instability due to aggressive core ratios. Use Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) to lower the Performance Core Ratio to 50x–54x. This adjustment has resolved crashes for multiple users.
Solution 5: Force the Game to Use DirectX 11
Expedition 33 uses Unreal Engine 5, defaulting to DirectX 12, which can be unstable on some systems. To switch to DirectX 11:
Steam > Right-click the game > Properties > General > Launch Options: type -dx11.
Delete the D3D12 file from the game’s installation directory for a clean switch.
Additional Tips
- If none of the above solutions work, reach out for support and provide these details:
- System specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, OS)
- When and where the error occurs
- Troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried
This information enables the community or support teams to offer more targeted advice.
Facing persistent crashes in Expedition 33 can be discouraging, but these proven solutions have helped many players overcome the fatal error and enjoy a stable gaming experience. Don’t hesitate to share your experience with the community-your feedback can help others and may lead to even more effective fixes.